Polygamists still go to jail in Utah. A new state law may end that.

[redleghunter]

SALT LAKE CITY – Polygamists have lived in Utah since before it became a state. Eighty-five years after plural marriage was declared a felony, they still number in the thousands and have even been featured in the long-running reality TV show, “Sister Wives.”

Now, a state lawmaker says it’s time to remove the threat of jail time for otherwise law-abiding polygamists.

“The law is a failure. It hasn’t stopped polygamy at all and it’s actually enabled abuse to occur and remain unchecked,” said Sen. Deidre Henderson, a Republican. Her proposal to make bigamy an infraction rather than a felony has gathered significant support. It was unanimously approved by a legislative panel Monday, despite resistance from former members of polygamous groups who said it could embolden abusers.

The estimated 30,000 people living in Utah’s polygamous communities believe plural marriage brings exaltation in heaven – a legacy of the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The mainstream faith abandoned the practice in 1890 under pressure from the U.S. government and now strictly forbids it.

In Utah:Mormon doctrine leaves potential for 'eternal polygamy'

Unlike other states, Utah outlaws living with a second “spiritual spouse” even if the man is legally married to just one woman.

More at the link: Polygamy: Utah's proposed law could end threat of jail time for many

 

[ArmenianJohn]

I can't think of why it should be illegal to begin with

 

[redleghunter]

I can't think of why it should be illegal to begin with

You support polygamy laws?

 

[ArmenianJohn]

You support polygamy laws?

I don't see why it should be criminal or even illegal. Is that "supporting polygamy laws"??? If so, then yes. Why shouldn't I?

 

[solid_core]

I don't see why it should be criminal or even illegal. Is that "supporting polygamy laws"??? If so, then yes. Why shouldn't I?

Its culturally unacceptable, like incest or marrying children.

And because in our culture basic laws are based on moral values (do not steal, do not murder), the criminalization of such behavior is a conclusion.

The question is, in such case, why adultery or sex before marriage is not illegal. Probably because of some hypocricy of the society.

 

[grasping the after wind]

I cannot think of a good reason to imprison someone for marrying more than one person. I don't see how the government has any legitimate interest in punishing a person for their personal relationship choices. The again I don't see any reasonable argument leading me to think that the government ought to be involved in marriage of any kind at all.

 

[grasping the after wind]

Its culturally inacceptable, like incest or marrying children.

And because in our culture basic laws are based on moral values (do not steal, do not murder), the criminalization of such behavior is a conclusion.

The question is, in such case, why adultery or sex before marriage is not illegal. Probably because of some hypocricy of the society.

What moral value would criminalizing polygamy be upholding? Adultery , no as all parties are married and no one is cheating. Sex before marriage, no the sex partners are married. I understand why incest and marrying children would be criminal acts. there are real issues both medical and moral with close relatives procreating and with minors not being capable of making grown up choices but multiple mature adults voluntarily entering into a marriage relationship is a much different thing. Refusing to officially recognize and legitimize that sort of relationship I can understand but making it punishable by jail time seems unreasonable.

 

[HannahT]

I can't think of why it should be illegal to begin with

I think we would need to see the details. I would not want to embolden people to just leave their families and go marry someone else just because. Otherwise, they need to look at why this was put into law in the first place - and then maybe switch it around a bit. I don't want to embolden cults (Warren Jeffs), but the average family shouldn't be in hiding either for their beliefs.

 

[redleghunter]

I cannot think of a good reason to imprison someone for marrying more than one person. I don't see how the government has any legitimate interest in punishing a person for their personal relationship choices. The again I don't see any reasonable argument leading me to think that the government ought to be involved in marriage of any kind at all.

It’s Utah.

 

[redleghunter]

I don't see why it should be criminal or even illegal. Is that "supporting polygamy laws"??? If so, then yes. Why shouldn't I?

So you support, as a Christian, laws which men can have multiple wives?

 

[ArmenianJohn]

So you support, as a Christian, laws which men can have multiple wives?

We already do. Don't you support laws that allow divorcees to remarry? How is that different?

I support laws that allow people freedom. We aren't supposed to convert by the sword - you have the wrong religion. You may want to look into Islam if that's what you want. Saudi Arabia would be more in line with the way you want laws made.

 

[ArmenianJohn]

I think we would need to see the details. I would not want to embolden people to just leave their families and go marry someone else just because. Otherwise, they need to look at why this was put into law in the first place - and then maybe switch it around a bit. I don't want to embolden cults (Warren Jeffs), but the average family shouldn't be in hiding either for their beliefs.

What is the reason "why this was put into law in the first place"? Only reason I can think of is tradition and that based on religious tradition.

If we are going to legislate by Christian religious tradition and morality then we should make it illegal to remarry after a divorce, but nobody is complaining about that. That's polygamy, according to Christianity.

 

[HannahT]

What is the reason "why this was put into law in the first place"? Only reason I can think of is tradition and that based on religious tradition.

If we are going to legislate by Christian religious tradition and morality then we should make it illegal to remarry after a divorce, but nobody is complaining about that. That's polygamy, according to Christianity.

My statement had nothing to do with Christian Religious tradition. There is polygamy in the bible. I guess some could call remarriage within the Christian community polygamy, but I don't know to many who believe that.

If you look into the history of why this was put in place you can get a handle on how to change it to apply to modern times. The Mormons were the ones known for this practice, and they moved to Utah - for example - to be able to practice this part of their faith (along with other items of course). Then there was a split within the Mormon faith, and most dropped the polygamy portion of it. Was it put into law to target those that wanted to continue to practice it? I have no idea. Did they put this into law, because it abused the women and children of the time? Remember they had next to no rights in this time of history.

 

[ArmenianJohn]

My statement had nothing to do with Christian Religious tradition. There is polygamy in the bible. I guess some could call remarriage within the Christian community polygamy, but I don't know to many who believe that.

If you look into the history of why this was put in place you can get a handle on how to change it to apply to modern times. The Mormons were the ones known for this practice, and they moved to Utah - for example - to be able to practice this part of their faith (along with other items of course). Then there was a split within the Mormon faith, and most dropped the polygamy portion of it. Was it put into law to target those that wanted to continue to practice it? I have no idea. Did they put this into law, because it abused the women and children of the time? Remember they had next to no rights in this time of history.

Polygamy is illegal in the entire US, not just Utah. Even if it were used to punish the Mormons in Utah that doesn't explain why it was illegal in the rest of the US prior and after that point in history. So I am not sure how looking at the "reason" behind anti-polygamy laws would shed any light.

 

[redleghunter]

Polygamy is illegal in the entire US, not just Utah. Even if it were used to punish the Mormons in Utah that doesn't explain why it was illegal in the rest of the US prior and after that point in history. So I am not sure how looking at the "reason" behind anti-polygamy laws would shed any light.

So every state should revoke their polygamy laws?

 

[ArmenianJohn]

So every state should revoke their polygamy laws?

Every state should be consistent. Either revoke the polygamy laws or introduce laws that make ALL forms of polygamy (or marriage that goes against God's intention) illegal, such as divorcees remarrying or common-law marriages that were never done as part of a Church Sacrament.

Are you saying you support people divorcing and remarrying? Our polygamist president is a good example - he gets tired of his aging wife, starts an affair with a younger woman then marries the younger one; rinse, repeat. You support that, as a Christian?